Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing taking place at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Huntingdon and Sedgefield.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 1: MARBLE BAY (3)
Trainer: David Evans
Jockey: Ben Curtis
The tactical speed of MARBLE BAY should stand her in good stead in this first handicap venture. She ran well to a point when not far out of the money here last month, a run that earned her a mark. With a good Jockey on her back and drawn to attack, she can have a big say.
Race 3: STEELRIVER (4)
Trainer: Michael Herrington
Jockey: S P Davis
STEELRIVER needs to be delivered late and with Flowers Of Venus likely you set a decent gallop the veteran can swoop to conquer in the final furlong. He’s taking a class drop into this claimed following some near misses. A success would serve to give his confidence a needed boost.
Wolverhampton Best Bets
Race 2: CALL ME MADAM (8)
Trainer: James Bethell
Jockey: Jane Elliott
The vast improvement shown by CALL ME MADAM over this trip at Newcastle last month puts her right in the frame for an earning run. She was ignored in the betting but after being in contention throughout was only denied by Bravantina inside the final furlong, giving her much to build on.
Race 3: PIONEERING (3)
Trainer: Roger Fell
Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
As the only confirmed front runner in this seller, PIONEERING could find things falling into his lap off an easy lead. The blinkered 9yo wasn’t beaten far in a Class 5 at Southwell last week. He hasn’t won at this course but all the other boxes are ticked.
Race 6: KNOCKABOUT QUEEN (7) (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Franny Norton
Getting weight from all her foes, KNOCKABOUT QUEEN has a very good chance to open her account for 2020. She looked a tad unfortunate not to score over course and distance last week when meeting interference, and though raised a notch on the class ladder should take plenty of beating as that has brought her to the boil.
Race 4: COPPERFACEJACK (4) (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber
Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Having run well in the vanguard for a long way here last month, COPPERFACEJACK will be much fitter for this identical race and can prove hard to peg back. He has a chequered record but is more than capable of causing an upset if in the mood. He’s worked and schooled well in his preparation and can earn a paycheque at a decent price.
Race 7: TIMETOBENEFIT (14) (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Phillips
Jockey: Jack Nailor
With few miles on the clock over the last year, TIMETOBENEFIT takes the eye as a lively outsider for this concluding conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle. The free going selection shaped encouragingly when fourth at this track in November but now takes a big step down the distance ladder, which can prove key, as he palpably failed to get home on that occasion.
Sedgefield Best Bets
Race 1: TITUS BOLT (1)
Trainer: Iain Jardine
Jockey: Brian Hughes
Veteran TITUS BOLT hasn’t run often over hurdles in the past year but sets a d3cent standard after two place finishes this season. He was given every chance at Musselburgh last week and although unable to put that race to bed is going to be ripe to deliver now.
Race 3: ROSTELLO (4)
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The consistent ROSTELLO can prove the answer to this maiden hurdle, having shown ability in France when beaten in a photo at Compiegne in November and now representing an outfit that excels with this type of horse.
Race 5: BENECHENKO (4)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Jockey: Connor Brace
Having skipped a good opportunity earlier in the week, BENECHENKO can prove hard to beat in this long-distance handicap chase. He’s been far from straightforward to train over the last year but gave every indication when chasing home handicap snip One Style at Hereford that much of his old ability remains.
